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Five-Run Sixth Leads Baseball To 5-3 Win Over Southern Cal In Series Finale
Feb. 25, 2007
Box Score in PDF Format
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Sophomore left fielder Anthony Scelfo belted a three-run homer and the Green Wave took advantage of three errors to plate five in the sixth inning as the Tulane University baseball team defeated Southern Cal, 5-3, in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Dedeaux Field. Sophomore right-hander Shooter Hunt (2-1) fanned five in a 6.2 inning start, and Daniel Latham came out of the pen to pitch the Green Wave out of a two-on, two-out jam in the seventh to earn his second save of 2007. With the win, Tulane improves to 5-4 on the year while USC falls to 9-7. "Anthony's hit was big and we forced them to make some mistakes today," Tulane head coach Rick Jones said. "We put the ball on the ground a little more and they didn't handle it as well today. The three-run home was big, though, because we haven't had a lot of that." Trailing 1-0 after five complete, sophomore centerfielder Aja Barto got things going for the Green Wave with a leadoff walk in the sixth. Barto moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by designated hitter Jonny Weiss, and it appeared as if the Green Wave missed a scoring opportunity as Barto was unable to advance on a Seth Henry single to shortstop in the ensuing at-bat.
Scelfo made that a moot point by hammering a 3-2 offering from USC starter Tommy Milone to give the Green Wave a 3-1 advantage they would not relinquish. From there, three miscues by Trojans' third baseman Michael Torres led to another two Tulane runs as three throwing errors allowed junior shortstop Cat Everett and junior second baseman Brad Emaus to account for the Green Wave's final tally. Hunt pitched his way around a single in the bottom of the sixth, but he allowed three singles in the seventh - including one of the RBI variety off the bat of shortstop Grant Green - as USC cut the lead to three. Latham replaced Hunt and got three-hole hitter Matt Cusick to fly out harmlessly to center to get out of the jam without any more damage done. Latham did allow a solo homer by USC left fielder Lucas Duda in the eight, but that would be it as the Green Wave held on for the win. "Shooter really had good command again today, just as he did last week," Jones said. "He had his fastball down in the zone, and until he tired, his breaking ball was really sharp. He tired a little bit there late, but got a lot of outs early in the count to keep his pitch count down. "Daniel came in and got the big out for us in the seventh. That's their best hitter, and we couldn't pitch around him. Daniel did a really good job of getting threw that one, and in the ninth, I thought he was really good with his fastball." The Trojans drew first blood as third baseman Michael Torres hit a leadoff double in the third, and walks to Anthony Vasquez and Matt Cusick loaded the bases with two away. Hunt actually got the next batter - first baseman J.J. Owen - to fly out to center, but before he could do so, USC executed a triple steal to take a 1-0 advantage. Milone faced the minimum through five innings and was aided by three successfully turned double plays. His pitch count was at just 49 entering the sixth inning, but almost doubled that total in the Green Wave's five-run frame. Milone (2-2) allowed all five runs (three earned) on five hits while walking three and striking out a trio in 6.0 innings. The Green Wave return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 27, when they travel to Baton Rouge to do battle with arch-rival LSU at 6:30 p.m. at Alex Box Stadium. Tulane's next home game is on Friday, March 2, when it opens a three-game series against Wright State at 6:30 p.m. at Zephyr Field. |
 
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